Capítulo 178: C174
Under intense public pressure, the federal government and the military maintained a coordinated silence. Both the new White House spokesperson and the military representative held press conferences, offering vague statements that avoided admitting any direct responsibility for the creation of the Abomination.
At the same time, to quell public outrage, the federal government began compensating the families of police officers and civilians who lost their lives during the attack. To further placate the masses, they dismissed a few low-level officials from the military and federal agencies—mere scapegoats.
Shortly afterward, a series of high-profile news stories in Hollywood and other entertainment circles dominated the media, effectively diverting public attention. The controversy surrounding the Abomination, the military, and the government was pushed aside and soon forgotten.
"Sir, as you predicted, General Ross was indeed saved."
In a Chevrolet SUV parked outside Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Maria Hill turned to Nick Fury in the passenger seat, her hands resting on the steering wheel. She listened intently to her headset before speaking softly.
The car came to a halt in the parking area. Fury and Hill opened their doors and stepped out. The campus was serene, with a winding road leading to the main building. As they walked, Fury spoke, his tone calm but firm:
"Hill, as an agent, you should know by now—this world has never been the utopia ordinary people imagine."
His gaze remained fixed ahead as he continued. "Driven by self-interest, they'll abandon anyone, even us, if it suits their agenda. They'll rewrite the truth at any cost. The truth doesn't matter to them."
"But SHIELD protects these people, enabling them to act with impunity," Hill said with a cold snort.
"What we protect has never been them, Hill," Fury replied, his voice low and steady. "It's the world—the billions of ordinary people who rely on us, whether they know it or not. Forget the politics. Our job is to focus on what matters."
Their conversation ended as they approached the Mutant Academy's main building. In front of the entrance stood Jean Grey, wearing a brown coat, and Logan, the Wolverine. The two mutants seemed to be waiting for them, engaged in quiet conversation.
When Fury and Hill reached them, Jean offered a polite smile and extended her hand. "Mr. Fury, Ms. Hill," she greeted warmly. "The professor is expecting you in his office."
"Thank you," Fury replied with a slight nod.
Jean gestured toward the building. She and Logan accompanied Fury and Hill to the principal's office. Jean knocked briefly on the door before opening it.
As they stepped inside, Fury's single eye scanned the room. Seated with Professor Charles Xavier was another figure—a new face who seemed as strong as steel. Fury's gaze lingered briefly before he greeted the professor.
"Professor Xavier."
"Mr. Fury," the professor replied with a nod.
After brief pleasantries, the professor gestured to two empty chairs opposite his desk. Fury and Hill took their seats, noting that the X-Men members present didn't seem to be leaving. Fury immediately understood: this meeting wasn't going to be a casual discussion.
"Professor Xavier, please forgive me for the unexpected visit," Fury began, his tone courteous but firm.
"There's no need for apologies, Mr. Fury. I believe we'll both gain much from this discussion," the professor replied with his usual mild demeanor, unchanged over the years.
"In that case, I won't waste time with formalities. I assume you're aware of what happened two nights ago?" Fury's voice was calm and direct, devoid of the aggressive edge he often carried as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Professor Xavier's expression turned somber. "It was a tragedy—a disaster that could have been avoided," he said with regret. "My thoughts are with those who lost their lives. Unfortunately, we were… preoccupied."
"Preoccupied?" Fury raised an eyebrow.
"An old friend," Xavier said quietly.
"Magneto." Fury nodded knowingly. "He's been moving in the shadows, making it nearly impossible for us to track him. What's his objective this time?"
Magneto was on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest-level monitoring list, alongside other individuals considered global threats. Unlike Xavier, who cooperated openly, Magneto was a ghost—a master of magnetism capable of erasing his tracks with ease. Surveillance cameras, electronic monitoring, even advanced drones—nothing worked against him. As long as he wanted to remain hidden, he was virtually untraceable.
Fury had long harbored a professional disdain for individuals with such abilities. Magneto's power to manipulate magnetic fields rendered conventional surveillance obsolete. And while Fury loathed dealing with unknowns, he grudgingly acknowledged that few others were as uniquely untouchable as Magneto.
"Do you know what he's after?" Fury asked.
Xavier sighed. "I'm afraid I don't. Erik hasn't confided in me, but I suspect he's searching for something."
"Something?"
"Perhaps an object, perhaps a person—or something beyond my understanding. His actions have been… peculiar."
Fury leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. "So you've been trying to locate him?"
"Yes," Xavier admitted. "But every time we make a move, he seems to anticipate it. By the time we arrive, he's already gone."
Fury nodded thoughtfully. Magneto's pattern of behavior was unnerving. He wasn't concerned about Magneto making a public spectacle—Erik's silent maneuvers were far more dangerous. Fury knew from history that when Magneto worked in the shadows, it usually led to an event that shook the world.
"Professor, are you still unwilling to share more with me?" Fury's voice was low, his single eye locked onto Xavier's with unrelenting focus.
Xavier met Fury's gaze, his calm composure unchanged. "Mr. Fury, you know that Erik is not easily understood, even by those closest to him. I will help where I can, but I can only offer you what I know."
Fury remained silent for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, his mind already calculating the next steps. Magneto was a problem—a silent, unpredictable force—and Fury's instincts told him something monumental was on the horizon.
The meaning behind Professor Xavier's words was clear, yet he maintained his calm demeanor, shaking his head with a gentle smile.
"You know, Mr. Fury," Xavier said, "they have never shown malice toward the world. In fact, they've extended goodwill on many occasions."
"I understand your perspective, Mr. Fury. They are not inherently bad people," he added, his tone measured.
Fury gave a slight nod but wasted no time shifting gears. "Then let's change the subject. I'd like to invite some of your people to join my team," he said decisively.
Xavier's brow arched slightly in curiosity as he glanced at his students and colleagues. "I'm intrigued," he said with a warm smile.
"We need a team that's stable and strong enough to handle crises," Fury explained. "A group capable of addressing the kind of threats that the world isn't prepared for."
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